After several months of looking, searching and advising from friends I have finally bought myself a sewing machine. I am sure there are better machines, and I am sure there are worse machines, but this is the sewing machine that is perfect for me. I have used it for the first time today and finished this book cover that I have been stitching on earlier. I'm looking forward to use it this coming autumn when we move in to our new apartment.

First of all; Kajsa has made me aware of the fact that the first craft book I have shown you is actually Swedish and not Norwegian as I thought. I had to look inside the book cover and yes indeed, it is a Norwegian translation of a Swedish book. So next time I'm in the library I have to find and authentic Norwegian craft book.

The book I have posted photos of today is also Swedish. I fell in love it once I saw the book cover. Yellow is such a catchy colour. I can't find the year the book was published so if anyone knows I would love it if you left a comment. The book has lovely alphabets and borders so you can put a personal touch to just about everything.

Sometimes you have to go away to see what’s at home. And that is how it’s been with me and craft magazines. The last six months I have bought tons of nice Japanese craft books and magazines. In last edition of idées it becomes clearer than ever that we are in the middle of Scandinavian embroidery and cross stitch trend. Simple patterns are used to make the sweetest zakka things. Scandinavia and the Nordic countries meet Japan. Then it hit me: do I really have to go all the way to Japan to discover all the nice things we have here in Norway. The answer is yes.

As a consequence of this epiphany I went to the library today and made the poor librarian carry all the books she could manage up from the cellar. Yes, because they are hidden in the cellar! I could of course not bring all of them home (- you better believe I wanted too), but chose three books that fitted in my purse and that came home with me. I thought I should share these three books with you the following days. One is Norwegian, the second one is Swedish and the third one is Icelandic.

At the same time I wish to give you a challenge. If all these nice books were to be found in my library, imagine all the books that can be hidden in your library. They cannot continue to be hidden and forgotten. The challenge I give you is therefore to visit you library, find 1-3 craft books of your choice, take some photos and share them with us. Leave a link to the pictures (flickr) or to your blog so that everyone easily can see the books you have found. Do you take the challenge?

This picture was taken right beside where the dragon pictures were taken. As mentioned in previous posts it has rained for more than three weeks in Oslo. But on days when it doesn't rain I love to listen to how the water drops down and mingles with the rest of the water in th fountain. The drops makes circle in the water which are emphasized by the bricks that form the bottom of the fountain. This beautiful and harmonic architecture is in the middle of down town Oslo.

Today was IKEA-day. But I behaved very good and bought only what I needed. It's true! It is the first time I have resisted all the temptations. Probably a one time phenomena. A virus. Or perhaps I'm about to get grown up and sensible? Oh... I hope not. I want to become old without turning into a grown-up.

Anyhow, there were so many nice things to see. I took a photo of the colourful cushions they have. And after a lot of walking, looking, and photographing I found what I was searching for; a big glass jar with a lid for my breakfast cereals. Now there will be order in my kitchen cabinet.

It is still rainy and grey in Oslo. This is how it has been the last thre weeks. It feels like I'm one of few still working. Most people is already on vacation or just about to take vacation. There is lots of free space in the tram. The metro is almost empty. Except for the tourists there are less people in he streets, there is summer-calm that has spread itself like a quilt over the town.

This beautiful blue dragon is part of a childrens play ground in a park in the Pilestredet area (Oslo). I love how the blue colour in the tiles changes depending on whether it is sunny, cloudy or rainy weather. Right now it is raining quite a lot and it has been raining for three weeks. I can't wait to see the dragon stretch itself in the sunlight again. You can see more pictures of the dragon here.

Once in a while I love to have my breakfast in a cafe. Get there, sit down, and have my coffee and breakfast served. When I in addition have the possibility to read a newspaper or a magazine, then happiness is complete. Today is such a day.

Another day walking to my new job. With so many nice things to see on my route it is the best way to begin the work day. These bikes can be found spread arround 50 different places in Oslo. By paying 70 Nkr ($12/€9) you can borrow a bike for three hours at a time during the summer season. An intitiative for an improved down town environment.

It's been a month since I moved back to Oslo. During this time I have been walking back and forth to work every day. Always the same route. I have become fond of my morning route, the smells and the small pearls tha are on my way to work. Today I want to show you one of them. What's on your daily route?